Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/26—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/28—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers modified by chemical after-treatment by reaction with halogens or compounds containing halogen
  • C08L23/283—Halogenated homo- or copolymers of iso-olefins
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
  • B60C1/00—Tyres characterised by the chemical composition or the physical arrangement or mixture of the composition
  • B60C1/0025—Compositions of the sidewalls
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/34—Silicon-containing compounds
  • C08K3/36—Silica
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
  • C08K5/01—Hydrocarbons
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
  • C08K5/16—Nitrogen-containing compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L21/00—Compositions of unspecified rubbers
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/08—Copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/0807—Copolymers of ethene with unsaturated hydrocarbons only containing more than three carbon atoms
  • C08L23/0815—Copolymers of ethene with aliphatic 1-olefins
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/18—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms
  • C08L23/20—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms having four to nine carbon atoms
  • C08L23/22—Copolymers of isobutene; Butyl rubber ; Homo- or copolymers of other iso-olefins
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L25/00—Compositions of, homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L25/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons
  • C08L25/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of styrene
  • C08L25/08—Copolymers of styrene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L25/00—Compositions of, homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L25/02—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons
  • C08L25/16—Homopolymers or copolymers of alkyl-substituted styrenes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L25/00—Compositions of, homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by an aromatic carbocyclic ring; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L25/18—Homopolymers or copolymers of aromatic monomers containing elements other than carbon and hydrogen
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/00—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K3/01—Use of inorganic substances as compounding ingredients characterized by their specific function
  • C08K3/013—Fillers, pigments or reinforcing additives
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L2205/00—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features
  • C08L2205/02—Polymer mixtures characterised by other features containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/04—Homopolymers or copolymers of ethene
  • C08L23/06—Polyethene
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L23/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L23/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
  • C08L23/18—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms
  • C08L23/20—Homopolymers or copolymers of hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms having four to nine carbon atoms
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L2312/00—Crosslinking
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L9/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of conjugated diene hydrocarbons

Definitions

• the present invention relates to transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions and, more particularly, to transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions that can be used in reinforcing applications having a high abrasion resistance and traction.
• Rubber compositions are used in a variety of applications, including tire components such as treads and sidewalls, hoses, belts, footwear components, vibration isolation devices and bladders. While the particular rubber compositions used in each of these applications vary widely in their physical properties, one attribute remains the same—their color. Most rubber compositions are black. Furthermore, most rubber compositions eventually become discolored due to heat, light, ozone, etc. This is particularly true for rubbers used in stressful, demanding applications such as tire treads and sidewalls.
• White sidewalls on tires are a form of colorable rubber.
• the white color is achieved by using fillers such as silica, clay, talc and carbonates instead of carbon black and adding titanium dioxide as a whitening pigment.
• fillers such as silica, clay, talc and carbonates instead of carbon black and adding titanium dioxide as a whitening pigment.
• the fillers are more fragile than carbon black and result in a weak rubber composition that does not reinforce the tire.
• abrasion resistance is important for colorable rubber compositions in, for example, tire sidewalls where there is a need for resistance to curb-scuffing.
• An object of the present invention it to provide a colorable elastomeric composition that has improved abrasion resistance and other improved physical characteristics, while maintaining the colorability and transparency of the composition.
• the present invention provides improved transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions.
• the transparent elastomeric compositions are halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene elastomers which can be alone in the composition or can be covulcanized with rubbers such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, high cis-polybutadiene or natural rubber.
• both the transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions include at least one copolymer of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene, silica, a coupling agent, and a processing aid such as a low molecular weight saturated polymer.
• the “elastomeric composition” of the present invention is a mixture of at least the halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene, a filler agent (described below), and the processing aid (described below).
• the elastomeric composition may also contain other rubbers as listed above, as well as a cure system when another rubber is present.
• the elastomeric compositions of the present invention are useful in a variety of applications, particularly pneumatic tire components, hoses, belts, solid tires, footwear components, rollers for graphic arts applications, vibration isolation devices, pharmaceutical devices, adhesives, sealants, protective coatings and bladders for fluid retention and curing purposes.
• the present invention is an elastomeric composition
• the composition may also comprise a rubber selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, Isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, high cis-polybutadiene or blends thereof.
• the colorable elastomeric compositions of the present invention have sufficient properties to function as shoe soles and other shoe components and as a reinforcing member in an automobile tire, as well as other applications where a colorable, transparent material is desired.
• the colorable elastomeric compositions of the present invention are useful in making colored elastomeric products capable of meeting current performance requirements. These colorable compounds were produced by replacing carbon black filler with a non-staining mineral filler such as, but not limited to, fumed or precipitated silicas, clays, talcs, calcium carbonates, aluminum oxides, titanium oxides, and zinc oxides.
• the mineral filler must reinforce the polymer system and not inhibit pigmentation to be effective.
• the remaining components of the colorable compound were selected on the basis that they will not interfere with the colorable nature of the elastomer.
• the cured, colorable compounds of the present invention still have the same dynamic and physical properties that meet the performance demands of current black-colored tire treads.
• the transparent and colorable elastomeric compositions must be carefully selected so that they will not interfere with the transparency and/or colorability of the composition.
• the elastomers, fillers, processing aids, antidegradants and curatives should not discolor the composition during the formation of the elastomeric composition.
• the components should not discolor the elastomeric composition as a result of exposure to light (including UV), heat, oxygen, ozone and strain.
• an elastomeric composition is produced which exhibits transparent properties.
• transparent as used herein is defined as transmission of light without substantial scattering such that visual identification can be made of objects behind the elastomeric composition. Degrees of transparency can vary from contact transparency to complete transparency. However, other embodiments of the invention are not limited to transparent compositions, such as those blended for tire treads.
• the elastomeric composition contains at least one copolymer of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene.
• the C 4 to C 7 isoolefin is isobutylene.
• the para-alkylstyrene is preferably para-methylstyrene.
• the copolymer is a terpolymer of isobutylene, para-methylstyrene and bromo para-methylstyrene.
• the copolymer used in the transparent elastomeric compositions of the present invention is preferably a terpolymer of isobutylene, para-methylstyrene and bromo para-methylstyrene (BrPMS).
• this terpolymer preferably composes from 10 to 100 phr of the transparent elastomeric composition. More preferably, the terpolymer composes from 30 to 80 phr of the transparent elastomeric composition. More preferably, the terpolymer composes from 20 to 50 phr of the composition.
• Preferred commercial examples of such terpolymers are EXXPROTM Elastomers (ExxonMobil Chemical Company).
• the copolymer of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene of the present invention also encompasses terpolymers of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin, para-alkylstyrene and halogenated para-alkylstyrene.
• the percentages of para-alkylstyrene and halogenation can vary widely. Different applications may require dramatically different formulations.
• the copolymer of the present invention will have from 2 wt. % to 20 wt. % para-alkylstyrene (preferably para-methylstyrene).
• the copolymer of the present invention will have from 0.20 mol % to 3.0 mol % of a halogenated compound, such as bromo para-methylstyrene.
• para-alkylstyrene (preferably para-methylstyrene) comprises from 5 wt. % to 15 wt. % of the copolymer. More preferably, it is from 5 wt. % to 7.5 wt. % of the copolymer.
• a halogenated compound, such as bromo para-methylstyrene comprises from 0.20 mol % to 3.0 mol % of the copolymer. More preferably, it comprises from 0.50 mol % to 1.5 mol % of the copolymer. Most preferably, it is from 0.5 mol % to 1.0 mol % of the copolymer.
• the elastomeric composition also contains a filler.
• the transparent elastomer compositions of the present invention do not contain carbon black.
• the transparent feature of the composition is obtained in part by using fillers to composing from 10 to 100 parts, per hundred parts of rubber (phr), of the composition which are finer than the wavelength of visible light.
• Silica is preferred as the filler, however other non-black fillers such as clays, talcs and other mineral fillers may be used. Silica may also be used to such an extent that the composition is no longer transparent or colorable.
• the colorable compositions of the present invention are produced by replacing carbon black filler with a non-staining mineral filler such as, but not limited to, fumed or precipitated silicas, clays, talcs, calcium carbonates, aluminum oxides, titanium oxides, and zinc oxides.
• a non-staining mineral filler such as, but not limited to, fumed or precipitated silicas, clays, talcs, calcium carbonates, aluminum oxides, titanium oxides, and zinc oxides.
• the preferred filler is silica present in the composition from 10 to 100 phr.
• the silica used in the transparent elastomeric compositions of the present invention is preferably a mixture of fumed and precipitated silicas.
• the precipitated silica preferably composes from 30 to 80 parts of the transparent elastomeric composition. More preferably, it composes from 40 to 70 parts.
• the coupling agent used in the transparent elastomeric compositions of the present invention is preferably an organosilane-coupling agent.
• the organosilane-coupling agent composes from 2 to 15 weight percent, based on the weight of silica, of the transparent elastomeric composition. More preferably, it composes from 4 to 12 weight percent of the composition.
• the fillers of the present invention may be any size and typically range, e.g., in the tire industry, from about 0.0001 to about 100 microns.
• silica is meant to refer to any type or particle size silica or another silicic acid derivative, or silicic acid, processed by solution, pyrogenic or the like methods and having a surface area, including untreated, precipitated silica, crystalline silica, colloidal silica, aluminum or calcium silicates, fumed silica, and the like.
• One or more coupling agents are preferably used in the elastomeric compositions of the present invention. More preferably, the coupling agent is a bifunctional organosilane cross-linking agent.
• organosilane cross-linking agent is meant any silane coupled filler and/or cross linking activator and/or silane reinforcing agent known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, vinyl triethoxysilane, vinyl-tris-(beta-methoxyethoxy)silane, methacryloylpropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-amino-propyl triethoxysilane (sold commercially as A1100 by Witco), gamma-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (A189 by Witco) and the like, and mixtures thereof.
• bis-(3(triethoxysilyl)-propyl)-tetrasulfane sold commercially as Si
• a processing aid is also present in the composition of the invention.
• the aid is present from 2-30 phr, more preferably from 5-20 phr, and most preferably from 10-20 phr.
• a typical processing aid is one that will enhance the transparent or colorable nature of the elastomeric composition.
• Some commercial examples of processing aids are SUNDEXTM (Sun Chemicals) and FLEXONTM (ExxonMobil Chemical).
• the processing aid does not contain aromatic or unsaturation.
• Processing aids include, but are not limited to, plasticizers, tackifiers, extenders, chemical conditioners, homogenizing agents and peptizers such as mercaptans, petroleum and vulcanized vegetable oils, waxes, resins, rosins, and the like.
• the preferred processing aid is a low molecular weight, saturated polymer such as polybutene.
• Commercial examples of such a processing aid are the PARAPOLTM Series of processing aids, such as PARAPOLTM 950 and PARAPOLTM 2500, both from ExxonMobil Chemical Company (Also sold under the name INFINEUMTM C9925 and INFINEUMTM C9995 by Infineum International Limited).
• the PARAPOLTM Series processing aids are polymers of isobutylene and butene, each individual formulation having a small range of molecular weights for each formulation, all of which can be used in the composition of the invention.
• the molecular weights of the PARAPOLTM processing aids are from 420 MN (PARAPOLTM 450) to 2700 MN (PARAPOLTM 2500).
• the viscosity of, for example, of PARAPOLTM 950 is 230 cSt at 100° C.
• the viscosity of PARAPOLTM 2500 is 4400 cSt at 100° C.
• the density (g/mL) of PARAPOLTM processing aids varies from about 0.85 (PARAPOLTM 450) to 0.91 (PARAPOLTM 2500).
• the bromine number (CG/G) for PARAPOLTM processing aids ranges from 40 for the 450 MN processing aid, to 8 for the 2700 MN processing aid.
• the amount of the processing aid can be varied as well as the molecular weight (and hence, level of viscosity) of the processing aid.
• PARAPOLTM 450 can be used when low viscosity is desired in the composition
• PARAPOLTM 2500 can be used when a higher viscosity is desired. In this manner, the physical properties of the elastomeric composition can be controlled.
• the rubber may compose from 0 to 90 phr, preferably from 20 to 80 phr.
• the transparent elastomeric compositions of the present invention are halogenated isoolefin/para-alkylstyrene terpolymers that can be covulcanized with polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, high cis-polybutadiene or natural rubber.
• BR 1207 cis-polybutadiene
• cis-polybutadiene or “high cis-polybutadiene”, it is meant that 1, 4-cis polybutadiene is used, wherein the amount of cis component is at least 95%.
• the transparent elastomeric compositions of the present invention contains from 10 to 100 phr, of the copolymer of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene; from 10 to 100 phr of silica; from 0 to 20 weight percent based on the weight of the silica of a coupling agent; and 2-30 phr of a processing aid (discussed further below).
• the colorable or transparent elastomeric compositions will also contain from 10 to 90 phr of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, high cis-polybutadiene or blends thereof.
• the transparent elastomeric compositions will contain from 20 to 80 phr of polybutadiene, polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, isoprene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene diene rubber, high cis-polybutadiene or blends thereof.
• compositions produced in accordance with the present invention typically contain other components and additives customarily used in rubber mixes, such as effective amounts of other nondiscolored and nondiscoloring processing aids, pigments, accelerators, cross-linking and curing materials, antioxidants, antiozonants, fillers and naphthenic, aromatic or paraffinic extender oils if the presence of an extension oil is desired.
• Accelerators include amines, guanidines, thioureas, thiazoles, thiurams, sulfenamides, sulfenimides, thiocarbamates, xanthates, and the like.
• Cross-linking and curing agents include sulfur, zinc oxide, and fatty acids. Peroxide cure systems may also be used.
• polymer blends e.g., those used to produce tires
• polymer blends may be crosslinked by adding curative molecules, for example sulfur, metal oxides (i.e., zinc oxide), organometallic compounds, radical initiators, etc. followed by heating.
• These metal oxides can be used in conjunction with the corresponding metal stearate complex and either a sulfur compound or an alkylperoxide compound. (See also, Formulation Design and Curing Characteristics of NBR Mixes for Seals, Rubber World , September 1993, pp. 25-30 which is incorporated by reference herein). This method may be accelerated and is often used for the vulcanization of elastomer blends.
• the acceleration of the cure process is accomplished by adding to the composition an amount of an accelerant, often an organic compound.
• an accelerant often an organic compound.
• the mechanism for accelerated vulcanization of natural rubber involves complex interactions between the curative, accelerator, activators and polymers. Ideally, all of the available curative is consumed in the formation of effective crosslinks which join together two polymer chains and enhance the overall strength of the polymer matrix.
• Numerous accelerators are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, the following: stearic acid, diphenyl guanidine (DPG), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD), 4,4′-dithiodimorpholine (DTDM), tetrabutylthiuram disulfide (TBTD), benzothiazyl disulfide (MBTS), hexamethylene-1,6-bisthiosulfate disodium salt dihydrate (sold commercially as DURALINK HTS by Flexsys), 2-(morpholinothio) benzothiazole (MBS or MOR), blends of 90% MOR and 10% MBTS (MOR 90), and N-oxydiethylene thiocarbamyl-N-oxydiethylene sulfonamide (OTOS) zinc 2-ethyl hexanoate (ZEH), N, N′-diethyl thiourea (thiourea) (sold commercially as Thi
• the present invention provides improved elastomeric compositions comprising a copolymer of a C 4 to C 7 isoolefin and a para-alkylstyrene, silica, a processing aid, and optionally, one or more coupling agents.
• another rubber is also present.
• These compositions exhibit improved properties including improved abrasion resistance, reduced cut growth, improved adhesion, reduced heat build-up, and retention of mechanical properties during severe heat build-up conditions such as those experienced in “run-flat” tires and engine mounts for transportation vehicles.
• the substantially isoolefin (isobutylene) backbone elastomer is a key element in that it imparts a self-limiting heat build-up.
• these elastomers exhibit high damping behavior which dissipates mechanical energy in the form of heat. However, as the elastomer heats up, the damping behavior diminishes and the behavior of the elastomer in more elastic and less dissipative.
• the materials are mixed by conventional means known to those skilled in the art, in a single step or in stages.
• the elastomers of this invention can be processed in one step.
• the silica and silane are added in a different stage from zinc oxide and other cure activators and accelerators.
• antioxidants, antiozonants and processing materials are added in a stage after silica and silane have been processed with the rubber, and zinc oxide is added at a final stage to maximize compound modulus.
• a two to three (or more) stage processing sequence is preferred. Additional stages may involve incremental additions of filler and processing aids.
• the elastomeric compositions of the present invention are not only capable of being transparent or colorable, but can be covulcanized with other rubbers. The transparency will depend upon the amount of filler used. This results in an elastomer that can be used in wide variety of applications outside of the uses for known elastomers.
• the elastomeric compositions of the present invention are useful in a variety of applications, particularly pneumatic tire components, hoses, belts, solid tires, footwear components, rollers for graphic arts applications, vibration isolation devices, pharmaceutical devices, adhesives, sealants, protective coatings and bladders for fluid retention and curing purposes.
• the elastomeric compositions of the present invention can be used in shoe soles and tires.
• the colorable elastomeric compositions of the present invention exhibit improved hysteretic properties, traction, heat stability and retention of properties upon aging to known colorable elastomers. This results in colorable rubber compositions which have sufficient properties to function as a reinforcing member in an automobile tire. The colorable rubber will allow a manufacturer to produce a tire with improved product appearance.
• compositions and methods of forming the composition of the invention were measured using a MDR 2000 at the indicated temperature and 0.5 degree arc. Test specimens were cured at the indicated temperature, typically from 150° C. to 160° C., for a time corresponding to T90+ appropriate mold lag. When possible, standard ASTM tests were used to determine the cured compound physical properties. Stress/strain properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus values, energy to break) were measured at room temperature using an Instron 4202. Shore A hardness was measured at room temperature by using a Zwick Duromatic.
• Abrasion loss was determined at room temperature by weight difference by using an APH-40 Abrasion Tester with rotating sample holder (5 N counter balance) and rotating drum. Weight losses were indexed to that of the standard DIN compound with lower losses indicative of a higher abrasion resistance index.
• Dynamic properties were determined using a MTS 831 mechanical spectrometer for pure shear specimens (double lap shear geometry) at temperatures of ⁇ 20° C., 0° C. and 60° C. using a 1 Hz frequency at 0. 1, 2 and 10% strains. Temperature-dependent ( ⁇ 80° C. to 60° C.) dynamic properties were obtained using a Rheometrics ARES at Sid Richardson Carbon Company, Fort Worth, Tex. and at ExxonMobil Chemical, Baytown, Tex. A rectangular torsion sample geometry was tested at 1 Hz and appropriate strain. Values of G′′ or tangent delta measured at 0° C.
• Test compositions were compounded to blend the masterbatch components and the cure additives listed in Table 2.
• FLEXONTM 785 is a naphthenic petroleum oil.
• DIAK #1 is hexamethylene diamine carbonate, available from Du Pont/Dow elastomers.
• DPG is diphenylguanidine.
• test compositions were tested for cure characteristics, hardness and tensile strength.
• the values “MH” and “ML” used here and throughout the description refer to “maximum torque” and “minimum torque”, respectively.
• the “MS” value is the Mooney scorch value
• the “ML(1+4)” value is the Mooney viscosity value.
• the values of “T” are cure times in minutes, and “Ts” is scorch time”. The results are presented in Table 3.
• the test compositions A-F demonstrated contact transparency.
• a Minolta CR-100 ChromaMeter was used to quantitatively determine the lightness (L*), red-green (a*) and yellow-blue (b*) colors of cured compounds in order to maximize light through-put (a measure of transparency) and to minimize or adjust the color.
• the ability to read print through these cured rubber compounds was also used as a subjective evaluation of the contact transparency of the ingredients in the formulation.
• Statistically designed experiments varying ingredients, and statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) for effects on compound cure, physical and color properties were made.
• CBS N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide
• amylphenyl disulfide polymer (18.5-21% sulfur) (sold commercially as VULTAC 5 by Elf Atochem North America) afforded a grey compound
• Other organic peroxides can be used if they are not carried on a mineral filler such as clay.
• Accelerators included the following (trade names in parenthesis): alcohol-amine (Triethanolamine), zinc dithiocarbamate (Methyl Zimate), thiuram (Methyl Tuads), thiosulfate (Duralink HTS), thiourea (Thiate U), sulfeneamide (CBS), thiazole (MBTS), zinc thiazole (ZMBT), amine (Hexamethylenetetramine), and amine (Diak #3).
• Alcohol-amine Triethanolamine
• zinc dithiocarbamate Metal Zimate
• thiuram Metal Tuads
• thiosulfate Duralink HTS
• thiourea Thiate U
• CBS thiazole
• ZMBT zinc thiazole
• amine Heexamethylenetetramine
• Diak #3 amine
• HSt stearic acid
• ZnO zinc oxide
• ZnSt 2 zinc stearate
• accelerators at 0.6 phr.
• Using the zinc oxide, zinc stearate and Thiate U cure/accelerator system provides the fastest cure times with while maintaining good mechanical properties.
• These accelerators were also tested at 180° C., with similar results (not shown).
• Precipitated silicas made via an aqueous acidification process were screened as a filler for the composition, wherein EXXPROTM MDX 89-1 is the elastomer and DURALINK HTSTM/ zinc stearate as the curative system. It was observed that for precipitated silicas having approximately the same CTAB surface area (approximately 170 m 2 /g), use of a precipitated silica having a higher salt content afforded a brown-colored transparent compound (Zeosil 1165MP from Rhone Poulenc) compared to lower salt-content precipitated silicas which afforded yellow-colored transparent compounds.
• the elastomeric composition is a mixture of EXXPROTM Elastomers and a polybutene processing aid such as PARAPOLTM.
• PARAPOLTM a polybutene processing aid
• test compositions U-X in this example are mixtures of EXXPROTM elastomers and NATSYNTM 2200 rubber in the absence of PARAPOLTM.
• Transparent cured EXXPROTM Elastomer compounds were prepared using precipitated and fumed silicas as the fillers, and a sulfur curing system. All cured compounds were contact transparent, but had a yellow to brown color depending upon the specific ingredients, and afforded compounds with physical properties appropriate for use in a variety of rubber applications.
• Test compositions U-X are shown in Table 7.
• the Din Abrasion index values are relatively low when high cis-polybutadiene is not present, although higher than those values in Table 6 when EXXPROTM Elastomers is the only elastomer/rubber component.
• the optical properties are diminished as seen by the lower L values and higher b* values relative to those in, for example, Table 6, compositions O-T.
• a composition for a colorable tire tread was prepared, data for which is shown in Table 8.
• This composition differs from a standard tire tread formulation in several ways.
• EXXPROTM Elastomer polymers are used instead of an equal weight of solution-polymerized styrene butadiene rubber (sSBR) to improve cured compound dynamic and physical properties.
• Si69 is used as the silane-coupling agent instead of the more common X50S (which is 50% by weight Si69 carried on N330 carbon black).
• no antiozonant is used since this can also stain or discolor the tread composition.
• Compound colorability can be further improved by using titanium dioxide as a non-reinforcing, but whitening pigment. Variations on this formulation are found in Example 9.
• test compositions A1-H1 in the present example are variations on the composition in Table 8, using an EXXPROTM elastomer and an sSBR having varying amounts of either styrene comonomer or vinyl comonomer.
• the viscoelastic nature of EXXPROTM elastomers increases the loss modulus (G′′) or tangent delta values of the cured compound measured at 0° C. This dynamic value is a laboratory test useful in predicting the wet traction performance of tread compounds on tires. A higher value is desirable.
• the tangent delta value measured at 60° C. in lab instruments is reduced when using EXXPROTM elastomers indicating a lower heat build-up value. This is predictive of tire rolling resistance.
• the complex modulus value (G*) measured at 60° C. is used as a lab predictor of the dry handling, or cornering, characteristics of the tread compound on the tire.
• G* complex modulus value measured at 60° C.
• a higher value is needed when a higher speed rated tire (i.e. H-, V-, Z-rated) is desirable.
• H-, V-, Z-rated higher speed rated tire
• the magnitude of these benefits when using EXXPROTM Elastomers is also dependent on the particular polymers used in the blend system.
• sSBR is used instead of a cis-polybutadiene, the Din Abrasion index values are low.
• Example 9 Colorable Rubber Compound Properties in Example 9 A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1 Ingredients, phr EXXPRO TM, phr 0 20 0 20 0 20 0 20 SSBR, phr 75 55 75 55 75 55 75 55 -sSBR, %-styrene 15 15 15 15 20 20 23 23 -sSBR, %-vinyl 57 57 30 30 63 63 58 58 Cure Properties Minimum Torque, 3.21 2.22 4.05 4.21 3.85 3.37 4.29 4.42 dN ⁇ m Maximum Torque, 20.27 18.45 22.95 23.20 19.50 20.53 22.10 21.10 dN ⁇ m Ts2 Scorch, min 2.81 4.22 2.27 2.91 2.65 3.90 2.59 3.33 T′50 4.74 6.56 3.89 5.22 4.49 6.59 5.07 6.13 T′90 9.99 12.60 6.91 9.19 11.53 13.21 9.66 12.19 Physical Properties Hardness 60.30 57.90
• Varox 231XL (R. T. Vanderbilt) in place of the traditional sulfur cure system was studied using an EXXPROTM elastomer and a mix of other rubbers.
• Varox 231 XL is 1,1-bis(t-butylperoxyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane as 40% active on an inert carrier of calcium carbonate (32%) and silicon dioxide (28%).
• compositions I1 (sulfur cure) and J1 (alkylperoxide cure) in Table 10 show that the use of a peroxide cure system increases transparency (higher ChromaMeter-L value) and decreases the yellow color (lower ChromaMeter-b* value) compared to the use of a sulfur cure system in a cured compound using FLEXONTM 766 as the processing aid.
• the use of the alkylperoxide system improves the optical properties of the system when I1 (sulfur cure) is compared to J1 (alkylperoxide cure), but the Din Abrasion index values are relatively low due to the presence of NATSYNTM 2200.
• test compositions K1 and L1 in Table 11 shown the effects of using the alkylperoxide cure system with Thiate U, and using the PARAPOLTM processing aid. Comparing the data in Table 10 with Table 11, it is apparent that the optical properties are improved for the test compositions K1 and L1 over I1 and J1.
• PARAPOLTM 950 is used in place of the conventional processing aid in the peroxide cured outsole formulation, optical properties are improved by reduced yellowness (b*) and increased transparency (L) as shown in Table 11.
• the present set of test compositions M1-P1 shows the improved properties of the elastomeric composition when EXXPROTM elastomers and BR 1207 are used as the primary components with the processing aid PARAPOLTM, an alkylperoxide (not associated with a carrier) is used as the cure agent, and Thiate U is used as an accelerator.
• the example 12 compositions represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention.
• Brominated isobutylene-co-para-methylstyrene-containing formulations for tire tread and rubber outsole applications were developed using binary blends of EXXPROTM MDX 90-10 with high cis-polybutadiene rubber (BR 1207, BUDENETM 1207).
• the EXXPROTM Elastomer is used predominantly for improving traction properties, while the polybutadiene is used to improve abrasion resistance.
• polymers were filled with precipitated and fumed silicas in order to reinforce the polymers, but also to maintain good colorability for appearance.
• a silane coupling agent is used in the present example in order to further increase the abrasion resistance of polybutadiene formulations, but has little effect in EXXPROTM Elastomers.
• processing aids such as PARAPOLTM 950 and PARAPOLTM 2500 were added as part of the compositions.
• Table 12 lists the ingredients in test compositions M1-P1 used in testing.
• Trigonox 29 is an alkyl peroxide made by Akzo Nobel Chemicals, and is 1,1-di-tert-butylperoxy-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane. Trigonox 29, unlike some alkyl peroxides sold commercially is not on a carrier.
• BR 1207 improves the Din Abrasion index values when compared to the V-X test compositions in Table 7 where the rubber component NATSYNTM is used instead of BR 1207. Further, the optical properties of the compositions M1-P1 are improved as compared to test compositions V-X in Table 7 due to the presence of the PARAPOLTM processing aid in place of the FLEXONTM oil.
• the viscoelastic nature, or “dynamic properties”, of the samples M1-P1 were also measured as described above and are shown in Table 13B.
• the loss modulus (G′′) or tangent delta values of the cured compounds were measured at ⁇ 60, ⁇ 30, 0, 30 and 60° C. These dynamic values at 0° are laboratory tests useful in predicting the wet traction performance of tread compounds on shoes and tires. A higher value is desirable.
• the dynamic values at ⁇ 30° C. are predictors of snow traction, while the 30° C. values are predictors of dry traction.
• the dynamic values at 60° C. are an indicator rolling resistance.

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